The viola (/ viˈoʊlə / vee-OH-lə, [1] (ⓘ) Italian: [ˈvjɔːla, viˈɔːla]) is a string instrument of the violin family, and is usually bowed when played. Violas are slightly larger than violins, and have a …

Viola, stringed musical instrument, the tenor of the violin family. It is built in proportions similar to those of the violin but has a body length of 37 to 43 cm (14.5 to 17 inches), about 5 cm (2 …

Mar 10, 2025 · A viola is a stringed instrument that has a larger size and lower sound than a violin. While it may take some time to master the viola, you can pick one up and learn to play …

Review the basics of how to play the viola, including how to hold the viola, tune your viola, viola fingering, viola care, viola bowing, and how to read viola music.

Sep 29, 2025 · We are an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the viola and those who love it.

An in-depth look at the anatomy of the Viola to provide a full understanding of name and function of its parts.

The viola is a plucked string instrument belonging to the string family; it is similar in size to the violin (slightly larger) but has a deeper tone. Its history is long and fascinating, dating back to …

Read about the history of the viola: its origin, its famous makers, players, composers who loved it, played it & wrote for it. Did the viola come before the violin?

History The viola dates from around the same time as the violin, its smaller brother, in the early 16th Century. It has evolved over the centuries, becoming prominent in the 18th Century. Its …

Nobody knows for sure where and when the first viola was created. However, it is known for a fact that the instrument was in use in northern Italy around the same time as its cousin, the violin …